Drug task force seizes over 23 pounds of cocaine on I-70 near Gypsum
Eagle County Sheriff鈥檚 Office/Courtesy Photo
The Gore Range Narcotic Interdiction Team seized over 23 pounds of cocaine in a traffic stop on Wednesday, July 17, on Interstate 70 near Gypsum.
The multi-jurisdictional drug task force contacted the vehicle around 8 p.m., . A K-9 was deployed and had a positive alert, prompting a search of the vehicle.
The search revealed an AR-15 magazine with blank rounds, a 1911 pistol magazine, .45 caliber rounds, 3 cell phones, and 10 brick-shaped packages weighing over 23 pounds. The packages tested presumptive positive for cocaine.
The vehicle’s driver, Angel Gabriel Valadez, 24, of Chicago, Illinois, is being held on a $100,000 bond and is facing the following charges:
- Unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine) a class 1 drug felony
- Unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), a class 4 drug felony
- Special offender (cocaine), a class 1 drug felony
- Conspiracy, a class 1 drug felony
If you think you may have any information about the suspect, this crime, or any other crime, please call the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office at 970-328-8500. Or if you would like to remain anonymous you can submit your tip online to the Eagle County Crime Stoppers at or send a mobile tip using the free P3 Tips mobile app. If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspects involved, you could earn a cash reward from the Eagle County Crime Stoppers.
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People charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
